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Getting Older

Training balance is essential for enhancing the quality of human movement. Jim Klopman is a pioneer in the integration of balance training for improving not only quality of movement but quality of life.

— DANA SANTA S CSCS, E - RYT, PRO MOBILITY COACH, CNN YOGA EXPERT

Jim’s groundbreaking balance equipment and balance training protocols have been the single most important component of human performance training that I have seen in the last two decades.”

— JAKE SWEENEY, OWNER , JAKES’S HOUSE OF IRON

When I started using the protocol with my clients, I was amazed at how quickly their balance improved. I worked with a 16-year-old competitive rifle shooter. Prior to utilizing the SlackBow, his average score hovered around 156 out of 200.After 12 sessions with the SlackBow, and no other changes in his training protocol, his score had increased to an astounding 186. He recently qualified for the Junior Olympics.

— JOHN JARMAN, OWNER, SUMMIT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

At the ripe young age of 69, I am acutely aware of the importance of balance, not only in everyday life situations but also in recreation activities. I also believe that you can “practice” balance exercises designed to improve your instinctive reactionsin this area.The SlackBow approach does just that. And as an extra bonus, the SlackBow improves your performance in recreation activities, from golfing, skiing, and hiking.

— Tom

I believe the statistics are that one out of three people over 65 fall each year. Keeping active requires balance. I am 72 years old (physically, but I still feel like I am 21). I want to stay active. I ski full time in the winter and do other outdoor activities and exercise classes in the summer. I attended a number of SlackBow classes in Park City with Jim as the adviser/teacher.

In standing on the SlackBow on one foot, I went from raising my other foot for a millisecond to doing it for single digits of seconds. That is a huge improvement. I skied faster without consciously trying to. Jim’s advice on posture and focus wasinvaluable. Using the SlackBow to teach the balance sensors—ears, vision, and proprioceptors—to fire the small muscles and reduce the shaking that happens due to repetition—not cognitive thinking. Balance can be improved with training. Jim knows the tools to train with.

— Calvin

I started SlackBow Training a year after sustaining a concussion. I hate to preach, but in terms of active recovery, it set me further ahead than any other therapy I went through to get me back to daily life.

I had been an NCAA athlete, but my recovery from the concussion had failed to be properly overseen by trainers, and I was still struggling with daily tasks. I began seeking help from outlets ranging from vision therapy to multiple neural specialists.

At the end of the day, SlackBow was the best active treatment I found both cognitively and physically both elements of my health that were extremely damaged.

As an athlete, having an obtainable goal of an hour of SlackBow Training which was healthy and also showing rapid progress toward my health when all other outlets were causing pain and fatigue was hugely successful toward my recovery.

I cannot speak for the science, only my experience. After a year of struggling to function on a day-to day basis, SlackBow started providing a turning point by bringing back my coordination, balance, focus, attention span, and ability to process the environment around me—all things people with functioning brains think are very simple tasks!

SlackBow was providing stimulation for my body and brain. Balance causes every muscle in your body to fire, as you are never in balance but constantly readjusting to stay balanced. These processes fire your mind and your body in a natural, subtle, healthy environment.

On the days I was unsure I was going to be able to get out of bed due to pain, I made it my goal to SlackBow for 10 minutes. That 10 minutes would bring my alertness to a new level that no other activity could by firing my muscles and my brain.Therefore, SlackBow would give me my greatest chance at a successful day. Other sports or activities, even on low levels, required elevated heart rates that caused headaches, speed that caused vision pain, or my other option was no movement, causing stagnant progress. SlackBow provided a solution to all of these things—helped to retrain my vision and focus, a controlled heart rate, no danger of further injury, while also working to fix my vertigo.

My first SlackBow session was a year ago. I am still working through postconcussion symptoms, and in a perfect world, I would be able to SlackBow daily. While I travel, I am attempting to incorporate what I have learned into my daily schedule.

I incorporate all of my new knowledge into my coaching techniques, and as an athlete, I wish I had known what I know now at 15. I think it would have positively impacted my entire athletic career.

I have nothing but positive things to say about SlackBow as someone working through long-term concussion symptoms, an athlete, and as a coach. I wish I had been introduced to SlackBow years earlier.

— Taylor

My name is Jim Black, and I was a professional ski instructor for 24 years, first in New England, then in Utah. As I have gotten older, my skill level has diminished, so I decided to takeone of Jim Klopman’s SlackBow courses, and it was everything I hoped it would be. I felt much more comfortable on my skis, especially at speed or in difficult conditions, and overall much more balanced and sure of myself. I found it also helped my cycling, both road and mountain. I may not be 25 anymore, but I am skiing better than I have in years.

— Jim Black

Working with Jim has changed the way I do many everyday things. I walk as an athlete—no more laid-back heel striking. I ski with better balance, and I’m more aware of my posture. I even observe bad posture and sometimes get upset! Jim understandsthe body and what it takes to keep the body lasting and performing at a high level. He also makes it fun.

— Ed

I’m not someone who ever really thought about balance. Mine was pretty good, I thought, owing to good genes from my athletic parents, which I then passed on to my children, two of whom became Division I athletes. So when I happened on Jim’sSlackBow studio in Park City, I was intrigued—and totally unprepared for the challenge that followed.

Training with Jim was a physical workout unlike any I had ever experienced. I felt like I was working my muscles hard, but there was never any soreness. I hardly broke a sweat during the workout, but the evening after, I would feel mentally exhausted,go to bed early, and sleep like a baby.

It didn’t take long for me to start seeing an impact on my performance in sports I thought I had already mastered. My tennis serve was faster, my return of serve quicker. I could drive a golf ball farther. But most surprising of all was that even five months after I’d completed my series of workouts, Ifound myself skiing faster, even on the first day of the season.

At first, I thought it was because my ankles felt stronger, but it then dawned on me that I was able to transfer my weight more efficiently from one ski to the other and carve my turns like never before. That’s when I remembered: it must have been the balance training that made the difference! That wasall the proof I needed. Balance became my religion, and I’ve been eager ever since to spread the word.

I spent several weeks training with Jim and Janet in Park City over a summer, but went back to New York in September with just a small foam block to practice with. One day, I foolishly climbed up on a high marble window sill in my socks to investigate a leak, and my foot slipped, sending me tumblingbackward, head first toward a disastrous impact with the floor. Suddenly, I felt like I was moving in slow motion as I managed to twist myself around, break my fall by stepping on the seatof my desk chair, and hitting the floor on my padded flank.

I thought it was a miracle that instead of breaking my neck, I had nothing more than a nasty black and blue mark on my thigh. Then I realized it was not a miracle but the balance training that had taught me, unconsciously, how to fall without hurting myself.

Even the uneven sidewalks of New York City are no match for me now! I’m convinced more than ever that everyone needs balance training—especially aging baby boomers like me.

— Susan

Your SlackBow Balancing System has revolutionized my approach to Balance Training. The SlackBow system focuses on the ability of the brain to find the correct balance position for each new activity. As a result, I have developed a more intuitive, proprioceptive response to off-balance body positions.

— Randy

I suffered from gout for 20 years, and it caused extensive damage to the joints in my toes, ankles, and knees. When I finally started taking medicine for it, the pain subsided, but I discovered I still had significant postural alignment and balance issues. SlackBow Balance Training was an essential part of my rehabilitation, allowing me to regain a normal gait and much of my flexibility. Now, not only can I hike mountains to my heart’s content, I’m able to ski as hard and fast as I want, and my golf game is improved, even down to my putting.

— Jeff

The first time I tried to balance on the SlackBow, the line was relatively tight, and by applying most of my weight to the foot of my right leg that is placed on the line, my leg began to shake substantially in the side-to-side direction. There was no way I was going to stand or attempt to balance on the line for more than a second. I had little to no balance. I literally looked like Charles Barkley trying to hit a golf ball. As a matter of fact, I grew up playing golf with my grandfather and played in high school. I certainly was not the best; however, I knew how to swing a golf club correctly, etc.

So, when Jim mentioned that I would see positive results when it came to golf, I was definitely determined to learn and train myself in order to have much better balance. Indeed, I was aware of the other balancing tools on the market (and couldgenerally balance on them), but I was less interested in them since it was very easy to achieve and the results were slim. Obviously, I had some work to do to have the capability to balance on the SlackBow for more than a second.

After training on the line for a few sessions, I could already see results. I was walking differently. Not on the balls of my feet, more on the front portions. My posture seemed to be better. I felt more grounded to the floor, feeling more confident when I was walking, turning, or doing anything else on my feet.My legs were stronger and my joints weren’t tight. I truly felt better overall, and most definitely regarding my balance. I could also see positive results in my golf game. Since I was more grounded and my balance was much better, I could remain calm while I swung, generally producing a much more fluid swing and an overall more accurate shot. I also saw results with my putting game. The feeling of being grounded after being on the SlackBow is hard to compare with anything else I’ve ever done in life. I definitely recommend it for anyone seeking that feeling of being grounded, better balance and strength, or for the challenge.

— Blake

I am so glad I met Jim Klopman and was introduced to his product, the SlackBow. As an athlete, I am always looking for ways to differentiate myself from other athletes. Like so many others, I was lifting a lot of weight and getting stronger and found that with greater balance comes greater strength. Lackof balance discounts your potential strength. My time on the SlackBow served me well in more than just my primary sports.

Other than my dedication to baseball, my ability to surf and ski have benefited from this unique training. Something so simple provides such an intense workout in a short amount of time. Simple doesn’t mean easy; put some focus and effort into the SlackBow, and you will see the results. When I started training with Jim, he measured my vertical and promised an improvement of a few inches. Sure enough, a couple months later I had recorded a jump 4 inches higher than my best jump prior to SlackBow training. This unique method of training gives you that edge over your opponents. Balancing on the SlackBow fires your fast twitch muscles and really puts entire body and mind to work.

— Chandler

Quite a few years after my career as a professional ballet dancer and a few after a shorter stint as a Certified Personal Trainer, I thought I knew a thing or two about balance from my training in these two areas. Especially when I began training older adults, including yours truly. I observed firsthand how older people (me included) struggled with balance,sometimes with serious injuries. With younger ballet dancers, you are constantly challenging your balance with an endless variety of movement.

Back to us older folks. I cannot underestimate the importance of good balance as to the quality and safety of your life. Jim Klopman, through his research and innovative thinking in and out of the box, has brought this critical life issue into a broader and more complete understanding. One that people can understand and prevent falls that can change a life significantly. Jim’s knowledge and training methods, I believe, reach far beyond conventional and traditional thinking. I hope you have the opportunity to learn from Jim Klopman. He will keep you on your dancing feet! This extraordinary man is for real.

— Fed Schwab (84 Years and Still Moving Along)

I have been skiing for over 50 years, 40 of them at PCMR. For the last 20 years I have been a part of a gang that skies every Tuesday morning before we go to Rotary lunch. I am an expert skier, but after passing age 60, I noticed that I was slowing down; over the years with the same gang, I was slowlymoving further back in the pack on arrival at the lift. Part of this was that some younger folks had joined in over the years.

Jim did a demo of SlackBow for our Rotary club and then invited us in for a private session. I had a one-hour visit whereJim put me through the entire spectrum of activities he had devised. The following week, skiing with the same bunch in same conditions, I found myself standing at the lift at thebottom of the hill waiting for the gang to catch up. One of the gang is the father of the world champion ski racer and a very fine skier—my age—himself.I never would have believed that this simple training could produce such outstanding results.

— Kevin

I have always considered myself to be a giant klutz with very poor balance. I thought that good balance was something that you had to be born with and could not learn.

I met Jim when he ordered some coats from my company. I went to his balance studio to meet him and discuss the job and he showed me around. I was instantly intrigued. In Park City we have every work out, fitness, diet and exercise program imaginable, but no one had focused only on balance. I hadto try it and was astounded with the results.

The workouts were really fun, incredibly challenging, and vigorous. After an hour session my limbs were shaking, I was sweating, but my heart was elated. Each time I was pushed well out of my comfort zone, but NEVER felt endangered. Jim or Janet were there by my side, always ready to spot or catchme, and were masters at getting me to believe in myself enough that I could push to the next level. I felt that my improvement was astounding. And even though I had long periods of time between each session I felt like I never backslid, and I couldtake up each time where I left off.

The most amazing thing for me was the crossover effect it had on other sports in my life. I am a passionate skier. I love any type of skiing: powder, moguls, steeps and cliffs, and especially ski racing slalom and GS. The first day on snow after my fall SlackBow sessions was unreal. I felt like I wason a new improved set of legs. I have been skiing since age 2 and have always felt comfortable on skis. But now I felt rock solid. Everything just seemed easier. Flat light was not as difficult. Committing to the fall line, pressuring the outsideski, moving into the next turn, going over rough terrain or icy slopes and bumps was just easier. I was skiing with a new level of confidence. I now feel like I no longer look at each part of the slope thinking here is a bump, watch the compression, itsicy here etc but rather just dance over the terrain. Probably the best tell was my husband. He has been a ski racing coach for 30 years, coaching everything from little kids to US ski team. He does not give praise easily. After watching me ski one day that winter he shook his head and said, “what happenedto you? You are skiing like one of my FIS kids”—this is an unimaginably HUGE compliment from a crusty German Schilehrer—I just smiled and said “SLACKBOW.”

This summer we went to Alaska and backpacked the Chilkoot trail. This is not a hike for the faint of heart. We had a lot of rain. So the streams we had to cross were deep rushing cold torrents. We had to jump from boulder to boulder carrying a 45 pound backpack and a misstep or slip and fall could havebeen disastrous or even fatal. We also hiked through miles of steep slippery wet boulder fields and snowfields that were converted to glare ice because of the rain. When we hit thestreams I channeled Jim’s River Rocks training took a deep breath and hopped across. My new improved ski legs got me through the snow fields, and the confidence I gained on theSlackBow and SlackBoard got me over all of those slipperyboulder fields, and this was after I watched a hiker in front of me slip and fall and break her leg.

Finally, I am an Emergency Physician who has worked in emergency rooms for over 25 years. Falls, especially among the elderly, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our country. The cost of injuries secondary to falls whether it is the actual medical bill, cost of lost productivity, or cost tocare for people who are no longer able to live in their homes because of disability secondary to the fall is astronomical. One also has to consider the emotional cost to patients and their families when they can no longer be self-sufficient. While balancetraining is great for athletes, If I was queen of the world, I would make it a mandatory part of our health care system for anyone over the age of 55. I am a strong believer that the long term physical improvement that we would see in a elderly population who has had good balance and strength training would greatly offset any cost that program might incur.

— Celeste Raffin, MD

I don’t have any data to back this up—no controlled tests to validate improvement over time. All I can say is that usingthe SlackBow to improve my balance has contributed to a heightened mental state that when engaged in active sports, has had a positive impact on my performance and my mentalattitude. Yes, I feel (physically) stronger. Yes, I feel more in (psychological) control.

Yes, I am more confident when I:Swing a golf club.Transfer weight from ski to ski.Control my bike on a technical downhill ride.Need the inner peace required to navigate personal relationships.

To me, it’s the most efficient workout—both physically and mentally.

— Joe

I was in Machu Picchu and was climbing the tall mountain that everyone sees in the pictures. The trail was incredibly steep and rocky. Everyone I was with felt shaky on these steep trails. Normally, I would have felt the same. Lucky for me, Ihad been using the SlackBow. My balance was amazing. I was not worried if there was a slight shift in my center of gravity or balance. I knew I could handle it. I simply felt much more confident. Truly stupendous. Thank you so much for thisfabulous method.